The Fulton Mall is a six-block pedestrian mall on the site of Fresno's one-time "Main Street," and the most densely built part of Downtown Fresno. Today this area is the site of some of Downtown's greatest economic challenges. Until this part of Fulton is brought back to life on a 24-hour basis, Downtown Fresno will not feel fully revitalized. That's why the Mall is the focus for the City's downtown revitalization efforts.

A new future: The Fulton Mall Reconstruction Project

Design, engineering, and environmental work for the Fulton Mall Reconstruction Project is proceeding quickly in the wake of the US Department of Transportation's September 2013 announcement of a $16 million TIGER award for construction (details below). To be funded, TIGER projects must have all of this work done by mid-2014.

Environmental impact reviews

State laws and local entitlements

An Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is being prepared by the City of Fresno, as lead agency, under the California Environmental Quality Act. This page is the place to find the relevant documents as they become available:

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), as the federal agency funding the project, would ordinarily serve as the lead agency for federal environmental studies. In California, FHWA has an agreement with Caltrans, the state department of transportation, assigning lead agency duties to Caltrans.

As they become available, Caltrans will post federal environmental documents on its District 6 website, and we will endeavor to link to those documents here.

Downtown Planning

The Fulton Corridor Specific Plan is new City policy that will guide downtown development and investments in infrastructure. A 21-stakeholder Community Advisory Committee was been appointed to make recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on alternatives for the Fulton Mall and other Specific Plan contents.

On September 27, 2010, the City hosted a discussion of alternatives for the Mall's future with national experts on landscape history and retail planning. Video is available of the expert presentations, a description of each alternative, and later public comment. On October 19, 2010, the Community Advisory Committee voted to recommend three options for further study.

A City Reborn, the 1968 video by Victor Gruen Associates promoting the separation of vehicles and pedestrians in urban planning, and the Fresno Mall

Nomination to the National Register of Historic Places

The Fulton Mall was nominated in 2008 to the National Register of Historic Places. The Mall was formally determined eligible for the National Register in 2010, but it cannot be listed on the Register because a majority of private property owners object. Because of its eligibility for the National Register, however, the Mall is now listed on the California Register of Historical Resources.